Fox Point-Bayside schools to begin search for new leader

District Administrator Boechler will leave Aug. 1

Fox Point - With less than six months to go before the head of schools departs, district officials are about to embark on a rigorous candidate search with consultation from an outside firm.

District Administrator Rachel Boechler submitted her resignation in January, and it was approved by the board. When Boechler leaves the district Aug. 1, she will have put in three years of service.

On Monday School Board member Debbie Friberg discussed a timeline for the search process. Friberg is chairing a committee devoted to the logistics of seeking out the next district administrator.

One step - hiring an outside firm with the search process at a cost of $22,000 - has already been taken. Consultants Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates specialize in assisting elected boards with candidate searches.

Questioning cost

Concerns about the price tag were raised during a public comment portion at the district's regular School Board meeting Monday. But board members readily defended the decision, stating it was necessary to seek out the best candidate in shepherding Fox Point-Bayside into the future.

"We don't have the expertise to do this," School Board President Mike Weiss said. "We are a free, part-time board, and there's a lot of work that is going to have to happen."

Friberg said she and other board and committee members were pleased with the firm's history.

"They do a more thorough vetting of the candidates," she said.

Board member Tim Melchert, who also serves on the committee, agreed. He said he believed Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates would bring valuable experience to the district.

"They made a good impression," he said. "They had lots of good answers to questions."

Friberg said the goal is to have Boechler's successor named by May 15.

Seeking feedback

Leading up to the targeted announcement date, committee members will embark on a number of initiatives with leadership provided by the consulting firm.

Starting late last week, district residents were invited to take a brief survey available on the district's official website, foxbay.k12.wi.us. The brief document is aimed at gathering feedback on the desired characteristics of the next district administrator. The deadline for completing the survey is March 7.

Feedback also will be sought through a different venue - an open forum scheduled to take place March 4 at Stormonth Elementary School.

Other aspects of the committee's tentative timeline include board candidate interviews April 26-27. Semifinalists are to be interviewed May 2-4; the board is slated to meet May 8 to identify a preferred candidate.

Plans call for the new district administrator to assume the position July 15, allowing for a few weeks of overlap before Boechler leaves Fox Point-Bayside.

Boechler plans to take a position with the Center for Courage and Renewal, a Seattle-based nonprofit that works with leaders in the fields of education, health care and clergy. Boechler currently serves as chair of CCR's board.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: open forum for districts to speak about desired characteristics in next district administrator

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